English Composition I
This is another one of my first year classes. I must admit that on the front end of this class, I was extremely nervous. The reasoning for this is because I had barely graduated High School, and around fifteen years later, taking a College level English Class seemed impossible to me. However, luckily for me this class was mandatory in order to receive my degree. I must also admit that this class was not what I expected. This class spent the majority of its time, teaching us how to write. I am extremely grateful that I took this class. The knowledge that I acquired in this class set the standard for every single paper that I have ever written for GBS or anyone else for that matter. I learned in this class, that anyone can write a paper, however; not everyone can write a paper well. The following paper is an assignment where we had to analyze, observe, dissect, and draw logical implications from our observations. This assignment was to be taken from one of Jesus parables of our choosing. The first section of the paper is my observations, the remainder is my drawn out implication to us believers today.
Although the observations in this assignment may at times seem to be insignificant; that is of no concern. That was actually a part of the assignment; to list every single observable fact. Therefore the assignment, challenge was not to merely state our opinion of a parable, but the assignment was meant to be able to systematically explain our chain of reasoning to another person. If you wish to jump right into the guts of this paper you may do so by scrolling down to section "II. Implications Drawn From My Observations," however; if you do, then you may miss some observable facts that you have missed in a casual reading of scripture.
Although the observations in this assignment may at times seem to be insignificant; that is of no concern. That was actually a part of the assignment; to list every single observable fact. Therefore the assignment, challenge was not to merely state our opinion of a parable, but the assignment was meant to be able to systematically explain our chain of reasoning to another person. If you wish to jump right into the guts of this paper you may do so by scrolling down to section "II. Implications Drawn From My Observations," however; if you do, then you may miss some observable facts that you have missed in a casual reading of scripture.
The Parable of the Lost Son Luke Chapter 15 (Fall 2011)
Chuck Chapman
Gods Bible School and College
Scripture Luke 15:11-32
The Parable of the Lost Son
11 Then He said: "A certain man had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.' So he divided to them his livelihood. 13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. 14 But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. 15 Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.17 "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants."' 20 "And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 22 "But the father said to his servants, Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry. 25 "Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.' 28 "But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 So he answered and said to his father, 'Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. 30 But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.' 31 "And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.'"
Thesis
In the parable of the prodigal son there are two sons represented. One of them knows that he is a sinner, whereas the other son does not. The two brothers represent two types of sinners within the church body of Christ. However, the central focus of this parable is that no matter what type of sinner you are (knowing or unknowing) God desires to come to you, forgive you, show you mercy, and to invite you in.
I. My Observations
NOTICE AND FOCUS: (RANKING) This tool teaches you to dwell longer with the data before feeling compelled to decide what the data means.
10 0N 1: Cousin of Notice and Focus. Try to make 10 observations about 1 point.
The Method: Working with patterns of repetition and contrast
THE FACTS BELOW FALL UNDER MULTIPLE CATEGORIES. THAT IS WHY THEY ARE REPEATED.
II. Implications Drawn From My Observations
The Parable of the Prodigal son touches on so many levels in the Christian walk. This particular parable unlike some other parables has more than just one particular application to be applied by the reader. I will set out to prove that of these many applications that a few of the most prominent themes of this parable are as follows:
My first point: “The things that we think will make us happy usually end in disappoint and un-fulfillment” has been taken from the observations found in this chapter. The younger son of the father’s two sons demanded his portion He said “Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.” The fact that the son used the words “falls to me” implies that he believed that he was entitled to this portion; this also implies that he believes it was owed to him. The son took this portion and “gathered all together,” and then he “journeyed to a far country” (Vs.13). This passage implies that where he was (the father’s house) did not bring him contentment, if it had the son would have stayed there with his portion. This also implies that the only thing keeping him where he was has been the lack of the portion due to the observation that once he received this portion he went away to this far country.
The scriptures go on to say that the son spent the entire portion. Once the son now living in the far away country had spent this portion the scriptures go on to imply that the things that he thought would make him happy did not. These implications are taken from the observable facts in the passages where it said “He came to himself”, also “he began to be in want” and finally where he said twice that “father I have sinned against you and heaven, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of the servants.”
The words “He came to himself” imply that he was not thinking clearly until this point, but now he is currently thinking clearly. Once his mind had received clarity the son realized that the things he tried to find fulfillment in had left him empty. The observable fact found in the scriptures say “and he began to be in want” it also says “And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate.” The word “want” and “filled” imply that there was a need, and that something was inside of the young man was unfulfilled. The fact that the son had previously had all that he had wanted and in the country where he had wanted it, as compared to his situation now, being in the same country (vs. 14 says ‘joined to a citizen of that country’) but lacking fulfillment. This suggests or implies that the things that the son thought would make him happy; sadly enough did not.
These observable facts carry weight to the evidence of the proposed implications, however they do not seal the deal so to speak. The evidence that does however is in the previously listed example of Scripture “father I have sinned against you and heaven, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of the servants” and finally “he arose and came to his father.” These two final examples imply that after trying out what he thought would make him happy left him in need and unfulfilled. If they had not left him in need the son would not have “arose” from where he was and “returned” to his father’s house. The above statement “make me a servant” implies that any place and anything was better than his current situation. This current situation was the cause of the son seeking his own happiness, however the observable facts imply that the things he thought would make him happy did not or he would not have returned to the very place he started from.
My second point: The Father (God) is very giving, merciful, compassionate, wise, and understanding.” This implication has been found in the statement “So he divided to them his livelihood.” The word “divided” implies giving. Also the observation that the father told the servant to “Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.” This command also implies giving the son something. Finally the commands given to the servant by the father stated “and bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry.” All of these observable facts imply that the father was a giving person, whereby he (the father) took possessions of his own and gave them to his sons.
In regards to the father being “merciful” and “compassionate” the facts that support this are found in the two statements “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you” and also “But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.” The words “I have sinned” and “before you” imply that a wrong had been done unto the father. Since this wrong had been done to the father; retribution was in order, however instead the father showed mercy, followed up with compassion. This is further implied by the direct word “compassion” within the scriptures.
One final example of compassion is found in the observable fact that while the party was going on the other son refused to come in. It could be argued that the father was not merely compassionate but biases to the one son, however; the words “divided his livelihood to them” and “therefore his father came out and pleaded with him” (the other son) imply that the father was not playing favorites but was indeed compassionate to all.
Finally in regards to the implications that the father was “wise” and “understanding” can be found in the statements that he made twice. The father stated that “my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” This statement implies great wisdom and understanding far beyond human wisdom and understanding. The facts are that the son was not actually dead or lost. The son could clearly not be lost or he could not have “arose and returned to his father’s house” nor was the son “dead” as per the exact same reason. Therefore the statements by the father imply a greater wisdom and understanding. If the son was lost as stated by the father then he would not have known his way back home to the father’s house. This “lost” is implying to a spiritual lost or even being morally lost. The same is true with the implication of the term “dead.” The son was obviously not dead if he had been the story would be over at the point of being “in a far off” country. Therefore the statement implies being spiritually dead or even morally dead. A greater explanation of these implications is out of the realm of this writer’s ability due to the fact that these statements are meant to be interpreted by people walking a life of faith. And only the Spirit of this faith is able to teach you the implications.
My third and final point: “There are two different types of sinners in this parable.” This implication is found in the statements “So he divided them his livelihood” also “But he was angry and would not go in” and “the father ran (vs. 20) and the father came out”(vs.28) and last but not least “I” and “gave.”
The first mentioned statement “divided them his livelihood” implies that there are two types of sinners. This implication is found in the key word “them” this word categorizes the two sons in the same group. The next link in the connection is implied in the statement “he was angry and would not go in.” Earlier in the parable the first son would no longer remain in the father’s house, and now the older son refuses to do the same thus placing the two sinners (already established first son is a sinner “I have sinned”) in the same category.
Another connection is found implied in the statements “the father ran” and also in the statement that the father “came out”. These two observable facts show that the father went to both of his sons. The last implication is found in the two words used by the older son “I” and the word “gave.” The word “I” implies self, or entitlement in most cases. The older brother used this word three times when speaking to the father in reference to the works that he had done in the father’s house. The word tense of “I” was followed by statements that the older son was also entitled to a portion. This sounds a lot like the younger brother who demanded his portion earlier. This word also implies that the two sinners are in the same category.
Finally the word “gave” directly implies that there are two main types of sinners in the parable. The first son earlier said “give me” and now the older son is saying “you never gave me” however verse 12 clearly states that the father gave “them his livelihood.” These examples imply the sense of self-entitlement and thereby imply two types of sinners the first being an out in the open sinner, and the second being a self-delusional sinner.
III. Conclusion
In conclusion as per originally stated the Parable of the Prodigal son touches on so many levels in the Christian walk. This particular parable unlike some others has more than just one particular application to be applied by the reader. We can conclude from the observations that were gathered in this paper that:
Chuck Chapman
Gods Bible School and College
Scripture Luke 15:11-32
The Parable of the Lost Son
11 Then He said: "A certain man had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.' So he divided to them his livelihood. 13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. 14 But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. 15 Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.17 "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants."' 20 "And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 22 "But the father said to his servants, Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry. 25 "Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.' 28 "But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 So he answered and said to his father, 'Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. 30 But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.' 31 "And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.'"
Thesis
In the parable of the prodigal son there are two sons represented. One of them knows that he is a sinner, whereas the other son does not. The two brothers represent two types of sinners within the church body of Christ. However, the central focus of this parable is that no matter what type of sinner you are (knowing or unknowing) God desires to come to you, forgive you, show you mercy, and to invite you in.
I. My Observations
NOTICE AND FOCUS: (RANKING) This tool teaches you to dwell longer with the data before feeling compelled to decide what the data means.
- Vs. 12) The youngest of two sons demands his portion.
- Vs. 12) The portion was apparently divided to both sons.
- Vs. 13) The youngest son actually accepted his portion.
- Vs. 13) The youngest son travel with his portion to a faraway country.
- Vs. 13) The youngest son waited a few days before departing.
- Vs. 13) The young son wasted his possessions given to him by the father with prodigal living.
- Vs. 16) The youngest son was hungry.
- Vs. 16) The youngest son was prepared to eat pig slop.
- Vs. 16) No one gave the youngest son anything.
- Vs. 21) The youngest son was speaking to the father.
- Vs. 21) The youngest son acknowledged that he had sinned against the father, and against Heaven.
- Vs. 21) The youngest son acknowledged that he had sinned in the fathers sight.
- Vs. 21) The youngest son expressed that he felt unworthy to be called a son to his father any longer.
- Vs. 22) The father had servants.
- Vs. 22) The father spoke to the servants.
- Vs. 22) The father commanded the servants to cloth his son with a robe, sandal’s and a ring.
- Vs. 29) The oldest son answered his father’s question.
- Vs. 29) The older son had served the father many years.
- Vs. 29) The oldest son never broke any of the fathers commandments.
- Vs. 29) The father never had given the oldest son a goat in order to have a party with his friends.
- Vs. 32) The father says it is the right thing to do to have a party.
- Vs. 32) The youngest son was in some way lost, but now he has been found.
10 0N 1: Cousin of Notice and Focus. Try to make 10 observations about 1 point.
- Vs. 14) The youngest son had spent everything.
- Vs. 14) There was a severe famine in the land.
- Vs. 14) The youngest son was in want of something.
- Vs. 17) The father had hired servants.
- Vs. 17) The servants had plenty of bread.
- Vs. 17) The youngest son was in danger of starving to death.
- Vs. 18) The youngest son determined to go talk to his father.
- Vs. 18) The youngest son apparently was on the ground (arise).
- Vs. 19) The youngest son determined that he was unworthy to be called his father’s son.
- Vs. 19) The youngest son concluded that being a servant in his father’s house was better than his current situation.
- Vs. 20) The youngest son got up, and went to his father.
- Vs. 20) The father seen his son while he was still far away.
- Vs. 20) The father had compassion on his son.
- Vs. 20) The father ran to his son.
- Vs. 20) The father kissed his son.
- Vs. 20) The father fell on his sons neck.
- Vs. 25) The older son was in the field but is not currently in the field.
- Vs. 25) The older son heard music and dancing when he got close to the house.
- Vs. 30) The older son claims that his younger brother spent his father money on harlots.
- Vs. 30) The father killed a fattened calf for the youngest son.
- THE FACTS BELOW FALL UNDER MULTIPLE CATEGORIES. THAT IS WHY THEY ARE REPEATED.
- Vs. 32) The father says it is the right thing to do to have a party.
- Vs. 32) The youngest son was in some way lost, but now he has been found.
The Method: Working with patterns of repetition and contrast
- Vs. 11) A certain man had two sons.
- Vs. 16) There was a form of food.
- Vs. 16) The swine ate the food.
- Vs. 16) No one gave the youngest son anything.
- Vs. 23) the fattened calf was killed for eating (compare vs. 16)
- Vs. 23) It repeats eat and be merry.
- Vs. 24) It repeats that the son was dead, but now is alive.
- Vs. 24) It repeats that the son was lost and now is found.
- Vs. 26) A servant was called again.
- Vs. 27) The servant explains the killing of the fattened calf.
- Vs. 28) The oldest son was angry as compared to everyone else.
- Vs. 28) The father now came out also to the second son.
THE FACTS BELOW FALL UNDER MULTIPLE CATEGORIES. THAT IS WHY THEY ARE REPEATED.
- Vs. 32) The father says it is the right thing to do to have a party.
- Vs. 32) The youngest son was in some way lost, but now he has been found.
II. Implications Drawn From My Observations
The Parable of the Prodigal son touches on so many levels in the Christian walk. This particular parable unlike some other parables has more than just one particular application to be applied by the reader. I will set out to prove that of these many applications that a few of the most prominent themes of this parable are as follows:
- The things that we think will make us happy usually end in disappoint and un-fulfillment.
- The Father (God) is very giving, merciful, compassionate, wise, and understanding.
- There are two different types of sinners in this parable.
My first point: “The things that we think will make us happy usually end in disappoint and un-fulfillment” has been taken from the observations found in this chapter. The younger son of the father’s two sons demanded his portion He said “Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.” The fact that the son used the words “falls to me” implies that he believed that he was entitled to this portion; this also implies that he believes it was owed to him. The son took this portion and “gathered all together,” and then he “journeyed to a far country” (Vs.13). This passage implies that where he was (the father’s house) did not bring him contentment, if it had the son would have stayed there with his portion. This also implies that the only thing keeping him where he was has been the lack of the portion due to the observation that once he received this portion he went away to this far country.
The scriptures go on to say that the son spent the entire portion. Once the son now living in the far away country had spent this portion the scriptures go on to imply that the things that he thought would make him happy did not. These implications are taken from the observable facts in the passages where it said “He came to himself”, also “he began to be in want” and finally where he said twice that “father I have sinned against you and heaven, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of the servants.”
The words “He came to himself” imply that he was not thinking clearly until this point, but now he is currently thinking clearly. Once his mind had received clarity the son realized that the things he tried to find fulfillment in had left him empty. The observable fact found in the scriptures say “and he began to be in want” it also says “And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate.” The word “want” and “filled” imply that there was a need, and that something was inside of the young man was unfulfilled. The fact that the son had previously had all that he had wanted and in the country where he had wanted it, as compared to his situation now, being in the same country (vs. 14 says ‘joined to a citizen of that country’) but lacking fulfillment. This suggests or implies that the things that the son thought would make him happy; sadly enough did not.
These observable facts carry weight to the evidence of the proposed implications, however they do not seal the deal so to speak. The evidence that does however is in the previously listed example of Scripture “father I have sinned against you and heaven, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of the servants” and finally “he arose and came to his father.” These two final examples imply that after trying out what he thought would make him happy left him in need and unfulfilled. If they had not left him in need the son would not have “arose” from where he was and “returned” to his father’s house. The above statement “make me a servant” implies that any place and anything was better than his current situation. This current situation was the cause of the son seeking his own happiness, however the observable facts imply that the things he thought would make him happy did not or he would not have returned to the very place he started from.
My second point: The Father (God) is very giving, merciful, compassionate, wise, and understanding.” This implication has been found in the statement “So he divided to them his livelihood.” The word “divided” implies giving. Also the observation that the father told the servant to “Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.” This command also implies giving the son something. Finally the commands given to the servant by the father stated “and bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry.” All of these observable facts imply that the father was a giving person, whereby he (the father) took possessions of his own and gave them to his sons.
In regards to the father being “merciful” and “compassionate” the facts that support this are found in the two statements “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you” and also “But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.” The words “I have sinned” and “before you” imply that a wrong had been done unto the father. Since this wrong had been done to the father; retribution was in order, however instead the father showed mercy, followed up with compassion. This is further implied by the direct word “compassion” within the scriptures.
One final example of compassion is found in the observable fact that while the party was going on the other son refused to come in. It could be argued that the father was not merely compassionate but biases to the one son, however; the words “divided his livelihood to them” and “therefore his father came out and pleaded with him” (the other son) imply that the father was not playing favorites but was indeed compassionate to all.
Finally in regards to the implications that the father was “wise” and “understanding” can be found in the statements that he made twice. The father stated that “my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” This statement implies great wisdom and understanding far beyond human wisdom and understanding. The facts are that the son was not actually dead or lost. The son could clearly not be lost or he could not have “arose and returned to his father’s house” nor was the son “dead” as per the exact same reason. Therefore the statements by the father imply a greater wisdom and understanding. If the son was lost as stated by the father then he would not have known his way back home to the father’s house. This “lost” is implying to a spiritual lost or even being morally lost. The same is true with the implication of the term “dead.” The son was obviously not dead if he had been the story would be over at the point of being “in a far off” country. Therefore the statement implies being spiritually dead or even morally dead. A greater explanation of these implications is out of the realm of this writer’s ability due to the fact that these statements are meant to be interpreted by people walking a life of faith. And only the Spirit of this faith is able to teach you the implications.
My third and final point: “There are two different types of sinners in this parable.” This implication is found in the statements “So he divided them his livelihood” also “But he was angry and would not go in” and “the father ran (vs. 20) and the father came out”(vs.28) and last but not least “I” and “gave.”
The first mentioned statement “divided them his livelihood” implies that there are two types of sinners. This implication is found in the key word “them” this word categorizes the two sons in the same group. The next link in the connection is implied in the statement “he was angry and would not go in.” Earlier in the parable the first son would no longer remain in the father’s house, and now the older son refuses to do the same thus placing the two sinners (already established first son is a sinner “I have sinned”) in the same category.
Another connection is found implied in the statements “the father ran” and also in the statement that the father “came out”. These two observable facts show that the father went to both of his sons. The last implication is found in the two words used by the older son “I” and the word “gave.” The word “I” implies self, or entitlement in most cases. The older brother used this word three times when speaking to the father in reference to the works that he had done in the father’s house. The word tense of “I” was followed by statements that the older son was also entitled to a portion. This sounds a lot like the younger brother who demanded his portion earlier. This word also implies that the two sinners are in the same category.
Finally the word “gave” directly implies that there are two main types of sinners in the parable. The first son earlier said “give me” and now the older son is saying “you never gave me” however verse 12 clearly states that the father gave “them his livelihood.” These examples imply the sense of self-entitlement and thereby imply two types of sinners the first being an out in the open sinner, and the second being a self-delusional sinner.
III. Conclusion
In conclusion as per originally stated the Parable of the Prodigal son touches on so many levels in the Christian walk. This particular parable unlike some others has more than just one particular application to be applied by the reader. We can conclude from the observations that were gathered in this paper that:
- The things that we think will make us happy usually end in disappoint and un-fulfillment.
- The Father (God) is very giving, merciful, compassionate, wise, and understanding.
- There are two different types of sinners in this parable.